Town Square

Neighbors raise concerns about proposed Skyline rehab center

Fear of wildfire permeated the room of the Kings Mountain Community Center on Nov. 20 as the Skyline Boulevard community gathered to weigh in on a proposed drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility nearby where resident clients would be allowed to smoke.

The concern about fire danger is truly a reality. We pay additonal taxes as a result of the government considering this area to be a high fire risk. The doctor for the proposed facility does not have a realistic plan for preventing the very real probabilty and shows a lack of concern for our community... a lack of concern for our very lives and property. The very definition of an addict is a person that has absolutely no regards for themselves much less anyone else. We work too hard to ensure the safety of the community from fire... why are we even considering bringing to our community high risk individuals...the type of person most likely to bring about our highest fear... a forest fire. The statement that the rrquirement to use e cigs would be the choice of the addict is a blatent in your face statement... the community does not matter. The money the addicts bring to the corporation is more important than our very lives. The rights of the addict over-rides the very real probability they will negatively impact us. Why cant this be built in a safer area... an addict does not require a forest to recover. The facilty can be built elsewhere and build into the facility the atmosphere the doctor deems so important to recovery. Doc.. if you truly believe and stand by your statements ... then sell your home... purchase a home near stllheart... and then tell us after spending your hard earned money for that home and putting the lives of your family on the line if you still stand behind your words and have faith that an addict will not start a forest fire or break into homes for money for their habit. Put action behind your words. You are asking the community to step up .. be an example for us.. you step up first... put your money and your families lives at the same risk you are asking us to take.

Posted by peninsula reader
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Dec 2, 2013 at 2:32 pm

I am so glad that I was able to go to a treatment facility and get clean and sober and did not have to face all you [portion removed - please avoid labeling other posters.] I fear that one of you might have a mother, father, sister, brother, child or relative that may need treatment. Dang don't let near you as you probably will trash them for what they have done and now want to clean up. How about the open fire pit many of you have in yards or the cigarettes, cigars etc you may all smoke. Can you tell the council you never use fire. If you do - I don't believe you.

Posted by Woodside Resident
a resident of Woodside: Skywood/Skylonda
on Dec 2, 2013 at 9:21 pm

Peninsula Reader: Not one person at the Kings Mountain Association Meeting objected to having a treatment facility in the area or were in any way paranoid. "Every" comment and question concerned public safety. [Portion removed.]

Posted by Lynn Ross
a resident of another community
on Dec 17, 2013 at 3:44 pm

As a long time resident of San Gregorio, a coastal region adjoining the unincorporated area of Woodside, I too am angered about the future probability of a forest fire caused by the proposed drug and alcohol patients of Stillpath who would smoke, and carry around their cigarettes, matches and lighters as they congregate in the forest and even in their trees houses.
The forest is a continuum, protected by fire safety policies, and carried out by its inhabitants. When there is high fire danger due to extended dry conditions, fire restrictions typically are put into place – beyond the strict fire protection rules already in place. If the proposed rehab center is allowed, "Stillpath" will the 6-acre weak link in the continuum of the forest, and the fire protection policies as well. To believe that addicts will focus on where their ashes are falling or where they put out their cigarette is a ridiculous notion, and a dangerous one.
Reality is that Stillpath would not be able to follow fire prevention policies and fire restrictions rules set forth by either the California Department of Forestry or by the unincorporated neighborhood communities of Woodside along Skyline. San Mateo County Planning is not a stakeholder in this extremely important issue –except that they could take credit for more tax revenue for the county. Wining a law suit to stop the proposed Stillpath is probably the only way to assure that we could maintain high standards of fire protection for the forest, our private property, and our lives. [Posted by lrthinkgreen@gamil.com]